Outdoor play is important in supporting the social, physical, and educational development of EYFS children. But how do you encourage the right type of outdoor play that will offer the most benefits?
We have outlined 9 EYFS outdoor play ideas that you could implement in your playground to encourage high-quality outdoor play.
Why Is Outdoor Play Important For EYFS?
There are many benefits of encouraging outdoor play in EYFS children, including:
- The development of social skills, such as confidence and communication
- Improvements in physical skills like strength, balance, coordination, and endurance
- Encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle
- Enabling exploration in a safe environment
- Allowing children to engage with and learn about nature
- Offering children fun, sensory experiences to enjoy
The EYFS Framework also highlights the importance of outdoor play in the development of EYFS children. The framework suggests that early years children learn through play and all early years providers should follow their standards to ensure children learn and develop well.
Learn more about how to create an outdoor playground using the EYFS Framework.
9 EYFS Outdoor Play Ideas
Den Building
Den building is a great activity that encourages children to be creative, work together as a team, and problem-solve.
It’s a versatile activity that can be done year-round and utilises different materials. Whether you use tree branches and cardboard boxes, or invest in den making equipment like drape posts or foam play bricks, den building is a fun activity you can implement in your own playground.
Obstacle Courses
Obstacle courses are a fun and active way of challenging your children’s physical and motor skills. Balancing, climbing, and crawling around a course can help develop a child’s coordination, strength, and spatial awareness.
EYFS physical development equipment can help you create adaptable, safe obstacle courses to encourage physical play.
You can even use obstacle courses as a fun, active way of teaching mathematical concepts like direction. Why not try instructing children around an obstacle course using directional language?
Explore more EYFS maths ideas for your playground.
Mark Making
Mark making encourages children to get creative by drawing, writing, and building different objects, shapes, and patterns.
Children can draw on the ground using chalk and even water, or you can install mark making equipment like chalkboards and perspex panels for children to express their creativity.
Role Playing
Imaginative play can help children develop a range of soft skills and encourage children to learn how to approach and cope with different situations in a safe environment. Role play can help EYFS children practice their language acquisition and communication skills while still getting creative.
Implementing props and imaginative play toys can help create an environment that encourages children to engage in imaginative role-playing activities.
Water Play
Water play is versatile and gives children the opportunity to play with their senses. Children can scoop, pour, and splash water which can improve hand-eye coordination, release energy, and feel soothing. It can also be great in the summer when children want to cool down!
Play equipment like our splish splash table, water run, and water wall can aid outdoor water play.
Sand Play
Similarly to water play, sand play offers children a fun way to explore different textures and senses. Providing extra equipment like buckets, spades, trowels, and toys will allow children to dig, create, and role-play.
Sand pits offer a space for children to fully immerse in sand play, whereas sand tables can be used in playgrounds where space is more limited.
Musical Play
Encouraging children to make music outdoors can provide a creative outlet and also teach them more about sound in a practical way. For example, they will learn how different materials, shapes, and sizes impact the pitch and tone of a sound.
Children can improvise musical play by using natural materials like sticks and logs to create sound, or you can implement musical playground equipment to inspire children to show off their musical talent!
Mini Beasts
The outdoors is full of opportunities to teach children about the natural world, biodiversity, and nature conservation. Allowing children to discover, identify, and inspect different insects around the playground is one way to get children invested in learning more about the environment.
Mini beast playground equipment can aid children with discovering and examining nature first-hand.
Quiet Spaces
Not every child will want to be up and active all the time. Some will seek comfort in the peace and quiet. Offering quiet spaces that children can retreat to is important in making sure your playground is inclusive for all.
Quiet spaces are perfect for engaging in slower-paced activities like reading and storytelling. Investing in playground shelters and storytelling chairs can help you create an attractive and engaging space.
These spaces are also great for connecting children with nature and encouraging outdoor learning. Explore more outdoor learning ideas for EYFS children.
EYFS Outdoor Play Equipment With Sovereign Play
Sovereign Play has over 30 years of experience in creating bespoke playgrounds for children of all ages, including nurseries and primary schools.
Our team of experts are dedicated to creating safe and long-lasting play areas that can be enjoyed by children for years to come. We offer:
Explore our extensive catalogue of EYFS outdoor play equipment to see how we can help you create your dream playground.
Contact us online or call our team on 01702 804200 to discuss how we can help your EYFS playground ideas come to life.
